Choose a short Bude Canal out-and-back for a gentler central walk, Summerleaze to Crooklets for town-side sea views, or a coast-path route only when conditions and your experience suit it. These seven options are not all easy, step-free or suitable in bad weather.
Choose your outing at a glance
| Walk | Character | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Short Bude Canal out-and-back | Gentler town-side walking | Wet surfaces, water edges and closures |
| Summerleaze to Crooklets | Town-side coastal views | Choose public land routes, not a tidal beach shortcut |
| Compass Point out-and-back | Shorter viewpoint outing | Exposed ground and cliff edges |
| Widemouth Bay beach stroll | Sand and shoreline | Tide, soft sand and uneven rock |
| Bude towards Widemouth on the coast path | More demanding coastal walking | Exposure, uneven terrain and return plan |
| Bude towards Northcott Mouth | Coastal walking north of town | Cliffs, weather and route conditions |
| Canal-and-coast circular route | Longer mixed-terrain circuit | Official route is 5.6 miles, not the short canal stroll |
1. Short Bude Canal out-and-back
Start at the town-side wharf, follow a manageable stretch and return along the same route. The useful feature is being able to turn back, not reaching a particular landmark. Do not assume the whole towpath is step-free or equally surfaced: check current access and closures if using a wheelchair or pushchair. Keep children away from water and lock edges. See the detailed canal guide.
2. Summerleaze to Crooklets by the town-side paths
Use public land-side paths for a coastal stroll between the main town beaches rather than relying on a beach connection around the tide. Decide your return before you start; a one-way walk feels different when everyone is tired. Pause for sea views without needing to swim. Check the Summerleaze and Crooklets guides for beach-specific planning.
3. A viewpoint out-and-back around Compass Point
This suits a short look over the coast in settled conditions, not a storm-watching mission. The ground is more exposed than the canal, so wind matters as much as rain. Stay on public paths and keep back from cliff edges. Set your turn-back point before adding another headland; a short route can still involve slopes and uneven ground.
4. A Widemouth Bay beach stroll
Choose an accessible entry and a return that remains available as the tide moves. Sand, stones and wet rock make this different from a paved promenade. Keep the walk within the part of the bay you can comfortably retrace and do not round a headland simply because the sand looks open. Read about Black Rock and the southern bay before choosing that end.
5. Bude towards Widemouth on the South West Coast Path
Treat this as a more substantial coastal walk rather than a longer version of the town promenade. Terrain, exposure and climbs need appropriate footwear and sufficient daylight. Choose an out-and-back section or verify a separate return arrangement before walking one-way; do not assume a bus will run when needed. Our Bude-to-Widemouth guide covers the practical choices.
6. Bude towards Northcott Mouth
A northward coast-path outing gives a different landscape from the canal. Match the length to the least confident walker and use a current route map rather than walking along the beach and hoping to find a convenient exit. Avoid exposed sections in strong wind or poor visibility. Check the Northcott Mouth guide for the destination and local constraints.
7. The longer canal-and-coast circular walk
Visit Bude’s official circular route is 5.6 miles with an indicative walking time of 3.5 hours. It combines canal, fields and coastal ground; that estimate is not a promise for every pace or group. Read the official directions and check current conditions before leaving. Do not confuse it with a brief town-side towpath walk or describe the full circuit as accessible.
Put a manageable day together
Before any route, check a current map, the forecast, daylight and any local closure signs. For beach sections check tide times too. Carry layers and water, keep dogs under appropriate control and choose a shorter inland option when conditions are uncertain. The comparisons here are planning guidance, not an on-foot inspection or a current closure clearance.
Plan your next stop
Updated 1 November 2026. Venue information checked against official pages; opening details and conditions can change. No on-foot inspection is claimed.